Major League Sports vs. the State of New Jersey

We’ve seen this before: Chris Christie pushed for legalized sports gambling in the state of New Jersey in 2012, and he lost. Now he’s cleared the way for New Jersey to take sports bets again, and the leagues are fighting back . . . again. The leagues are most likely fighting a futile battle — Adam Silver even admitted as much — as states search for new taxable revenue. It’s likely gambling will be one of the answers.

Even if New Jersey wins the appeal, the leagues could hold the proverbial hammer. The NFL could make sure no more Super Bowls are held at Jets and Giants home MetLife Stadium. The NCAA would surely remove in-state football bowls or basketball playoff games. MLB and the NBA don’t have teams in New Jersey, but Philadelphia is nearby. Could that city be prevented from holding All-Star festivities?